Monday 8th June 2009 - 16:03:26
As we’re all tightening our belts this summer as a result of the rather dour economic climate, our mates over at Virgin trains have come up with a great new timetable which can take you to great British hotspots this summer from just £5.
Okay, so we know it’s now St Lucia or Prague, but why not take some time out to explore some of the wonders of the UK for a change?
The now-famous new Bullring is the epicentre of Birmingham’s all-round shopping experience with £500 million of retail excitement capped by the iconic Selfridges.
The city centre is linked by street after street of shopping choice, which includes the designer label homeland of The Mailbox as well as key sights such as the Pallasades, Martineau Place and City Plaza.
Broad Street is probably the most exciting area to go for a late night drink in Birmingham as it is 1/2 mile long and houses almost nothing but bars and clubs. Places to try include Ipanema, Bar Risa (a bar and nightclub and is connected to Jongleurs Comedy Club next door) and Oh Velvet!, but if you are after a very cosmopolitan evening, head to The Living Room.
Birmingham is said to have more canals than Venice and walking the towpath gives you a chance to see the city and its surrounding towns in a new light. In the centre of the city, over 15 miles of canal have been improved to make safe and enjoyable walking - you don't need a boat!
A seductive mix of modernity and heritage, Edinburgh is a must-visit City for all those who have not set foot across the border.
To symbolise the new Edinburgh the striking £420-million Scottish Parliament is a must see building to start your sight seeing tour with Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and New Town (which is actually quite old) next in line.
When it comes to shopping, Princes Street’s is the place to start with the “oldest independent shop” Jenners at No.48 being a must-visit. On and around the Royal Mile is the place to get twee souvenirs of the kilt/whisky/shortbread-in-a-tin variety.
Although Edinburgh’s reputation is for festivals and events rather than nightlife, the relaxed licensing laws mean that most bars stay open until 1am – a perfect way to end your busy day.
The Lake District (also known as The Lakes or Lakeland), is a rural area in North West England.
Highly considered as a popular holiday destination, it is famous for its lakes and its mountains, and its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth and the Poets.
The central and most-visited part of the area is contained in the Lake District National Park, one of fourteen National Parks in the United Kingdom. It lies entirely within Cumbria, and is one of England's few mountainous regions. All the land in England higher than three thousand feet above sea level lies within the National Park, including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
Newly crowned as European Capital of Culture 2008, Liverpool is the only place to be this year.
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